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July 15, 2015 – Key Technology introduces its enhanced Rotary Sizing and Grading Systems, which includes its popular Sliver Sizer Remover (SSR), Precision Size Grader (PSG) and Rotary Size Grader (RSG). This family of versatile equipment enables fruit, vegetable and potato processors to size and grade product by diameter or length while conveying and removing field debris, slivers, small pieces, fines, seeds, juice and other targeted material. With a new fully welded framework, one piece block pan, improved water and product deflection, new motor mount with catch pan and more, the new Rotary Sizing and Grading Systems improve sanitation and ease maintenance while improving product quality.

The fully welded framework features integral formed mounting flanges, integral welded one piece block pans and blind back standoff bosses for mounting the discharge shear. This new design creates a more rigid frame and enhances hygiene by reducing threaded fasteners and eliminating lamination points between surfaces to minimize areas where water can be trapped and bacteria can grow.

Improved water/product containment is the result of a higher infeed frame plate with an added deflection flange to help shed water off the plate, sloped deflectors on both sides and a deflector flange on the discharge shear. These four new flanges reduce fasteners and laminations where microbes can grow while moving drip points to within the envelope of the equipment. This makes it easier for processors to mount a drain pan under the system and better captures water and product spillage to minimize spillage to the floor, improving sanitation and worker safety.

New top and side bearing/sprocket covers and chain guards are made of punch plate material that enables visual inspection of the bearings, drive sprockets, wear strips and chain without removing the covers or guards, which eases maintenance. The idle side cover hinges down without removal of the top cover to further ease maintenance. Top surfaces are sloped to reduce product buildup and shed water. The covers and guards enhance sanitation by enabling the areas behind them to be cleaned with a high pressure washdown without removing the covers and guards. Solid top covers are available as an option.

A new motor mount features a drip pan below the gearbox with integrated standoffs. The single square tube support is positioned at a 45° angle to shed product and water. Mounting fasteners are reduced and blind back standoffs are used to further reduce threads and laminations.

An updated spray bar system, available as an option, eliminates U-bolts and bracket mounting laminations. The new brackets, which support both the infeed and side spray bars, utilize blind back standoffs and enable the top bearing/sprocket cover to be removed while the spray bars remain in place to enhance sanitation and ease maintenance.

Key redesigned the optional CE cover, which used to be mounted using side plate retainer bolts and had to be removed before the top bearing/sprocket covers could be removed. The new CE cover is mounted to the spray bar brackets, allowing the top bearing/sprocket covers and side plates to be removed without removing the CE cover, which eases maintenance.

An optional CE bearing cover protects workers from an exposed shaft end and features perforations for visual inspection of the shaft/bearing and easy cleaning. A new standard bearing/shaft guard exceeds OSHA standards to improve worker safety.

Standard Rotary Sizing and Grading Systems that are adjusted manually now feature a hard stop mechanism that prevents an operator from over-tightening the adjustment blocks while closing the gap between the rolls, which prevents the blocks from being damaged. The optional Auto Adjust has also been improved with the addition of electronic limit switches for full-open and full-closed positions and a mechanical fail safe detent clutch to prevent blocks from being damaged.

The new design is 100 percent metric, with metric fasteners, bearings, shafts and sprockets. This simplifies maintenance since the crew now needs only one tool set. Key will continue to support its installed base with imperial dimensioned rolls and components.

About Key Technology, Inc.

Key Technology (NASDAQ: KTEC) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of process automation systems including digital sorters, conveyors, and processing equipment. Applying processing knowledge and application expertise, Key helps customers in the food processing and other industries improve quality, increase yield, and reduce cost. An ISO-9001 certified company, Key manufactures its products at its headquarters in Walla Walla, Washington, USA and in Beusichem, the Netherlands; Hasselt, Belgium; and Redmond, Oregon, USA. Key offers customer demonstration and testing services at five locations including Walla Walla, Beusichem, and Hasselt as well as Sacramento, California, USA and Melbourne, Australia; and maintains a sales and service office in Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico.